NJ One Step Closer To Require Licensed Pet Groomers

Pet owners have been buzzing because New Jersey has been working to become the first state to require pet groomers to be licensed before practicing.

Well, a major step in the right direction occurred when PetSmart publicly offered their support if this law were to be passed.

The major pet chain -- which operates more than 1,600 stores in the U.S. -- showed their support in response to the data that found, "47 cases across 14 states since 2008 in which families said they took their dogs to PetSmart for groomings only to have them die during or shortly after the visits," according to NJ.com.

Of course PetSmart denied any wrong doing but at least they are looking to move forward so these tragedies don't continue to happen.

"Until now, progress has been slow in regulating a business that has remained unchecked since its inception," said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle earlier this month. "By ensuring that our state's pet groomers are properly trained and licensed, hopefully, we can avoid some of these tragic incidents that have been happening.

According to the bill (A3044), the state Division of Consumer Affairs would oversee pet groomers through standardized testing and becoming licensed. Once licensed, groomers must report injuries or deaths.